Environmentalists are staging a memorial procession this weekend before a council fells more than 20 trees.

Haringey Tree Protectors (HTP) and perfomers Red Rebels will process to the Hairy Oak Tree in Parkland Walk, Highgate, at 10.30am tomorrow (Sunday) to mourn the trees and raise the alarm about the increasing loss of mature trees in the capital.

From Monday (February 6), the council will begin chopping down trees around bridges crossing Parkland Walk.

Campaigners have identified eight to be felled at Stanhope and ten at Mount Pleasant Villas, as well as trees and vegetation at three other bridges in Parkland Walk.

The council is undertaking replacement works for the Stanhope Road bridge, part of an eight-year project to renovate or renew the seven Parkland Walk bridges it maintains.

But campaigners say not all trees need to be felled, and also fear the loss of the nature reserve, a woodland paradise for birds and bats.

Giovanna Iozzi, of HTP, said the council oversaw a "disastrous" project in the park in 2021 where more than 150 trees were felled.

He said: "I know it was during Covid but it was terrible. There was the felling of small fruit trees, vegetation and also the bees - swathes of daffodils and bluebells.

"Now they are turning out to finish the job."

She said during the tree massacre, two 150-year-old trees at St James Lane were felled, "which the council later admitted was an error".

HTP was formed by like-minded neighbours as a result.

"There should be much greater efforts to protect nature and we feel they could have protected more trees," Giovanna added.

"We're worried they are going to resurface the Parkland Walk for people with bikes and families.

"They are breaking up a nature corridor."

She said more than 6,000 people signed a petition for a green bridge at Stanhope, but the council is pressing ahead with what she describes as a £500,000 bare concrete design, which will see the area round the bridge turned into "an environmental deadzone".

She added: "We feel let down and really disappointed."

Cllr Mike Hakata, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, environment and transport said claims by the HTP were "inaccurate" adding: "We have not removed two Oak trees from St James Lane, nor 150 trees in 2021. 

"They arrive at this figure by counting trees felled by Islington, those removed in earlier years and by counting shrubs. 

We have also made it very clear that we will consult with local people and groups to co-produce the scope of the resurfacing work. 

"Cycling has always been allowed at Parkland Walk, and the designs will have to consider this activity."

He said the council "appreciates and understands the strength of feeling that removing trees invokes".   

“We have listened to genuine concerns and feedback, and I’m really pleased that now we will be removing far fewer trees to prepare the nature reserve for this essential engineering and bridge replacement work. 

"We will be carefully monitoring the on-site works to ensure the sensitive removal of the trees. 

"We are incredibly proud of Parkland Walk, which contributes so much to the biodiversity in our borough while also giving residents access to one of London’s finest nature reserves.”  

HTP and supporters will meet at the Northwood Road Bridge entrance at 10.30am on Sunday (February 5).